William Y. DAVIS, who is living on the old family homestead in Cache
Precinct, where his birth occurred January 2, 1851, is one of the
practical farmers of Johnson County. His father, whose name was the
same as his own, was born in Johnson County, N. C.,and was about a year
old when his parents removed to Alabama, the journey to their
destination being made with a horse and cart. The father did not live
long after settling in his new home, and the mother married again. When
William was fourteen years old the family went to Middle Tennessee, and
after a residence there of two years, came to Illinois, and located
four miles west of Marion, in Williamson County. At the age of twenty
eight Mr. DAVIS married, and he and his bride came to Johnson County,
and were among the first to settle in Cache Township, where he
purchased a tract of timber land. He at once built a log cabin, sawing
the lumber with which it was finished with a whip saw, and riving and
shaving the shingles for the roof by hand. That humble dwelling was the
birthplace of our subject.
The father devoted his energies to clearing his land and putting it
under cultivation,and in time he had improved a valuable farm, which
was his home until he closed his eyes in death September 14, 1892, at
the venerable age of eighty-nine years. His memory will always be
cherished as that of one of our honored pioneers who braved the
hardships of frontier life and helped to lay the foundation of this
county's present prosperity. His faithful companion had passed away
shortly before he did, dying August 7, 1892. She bore the maiden name
of Martha Smith GORE, and was one of the earliest born natives of the
county, her birthplace being four miles west of Vienna, and she was a
daughter of John GORE, one of the early pioneers of this part of
Illinois. She was the mother of these ten children: William B., Eliza,
Mary J., Alexander, Martha, Caroline, Elandor, William Y., Elizabeth
and Isora.
The subject of this sketch attended the pioneer schools of this county
which were still in vogue in his boyhood. He was but three years old
when his education commenced, and the first schools that he went to
were taught in a log house that had furniture of the most primitive
kind; the seats, which were without backs, or desks in front, were made
by splitting small trees, hewing one side smooth, and inserting wooden
pins for legs. Our subject's experience in farming commenced when he
was very young, as soon, in fact, as he was large enough to handle
farming implements. He resided with his parents until his marriage, and
then built his present residence, which stands about three hundred
yards from his father's dwelling. He is a capable, careful, wide-awake
farmer, and is conducting his farming operations with a good degree of
success.
In July, 1877, Mr. Davis was happily married to Miss Althier HAWK, a
native of the county, and a daughter of Calvin and Julia HAWK. They
have five children, whom they have named Frank, Roxanna, Lora May,
Charles Ray and William Yearly.
Our subject's political views are of the Republican order, and he
stands stanchly by his party. He is in every respect a good citizen;
his neighbors find him kind and obliging in his intercourse with them,
and fair in his dealings, while in his family relations he is a devoted
husband and father. He is a member in high standing of Marion Lodge No.
457, A. F. & A. M.; and of Vesta Lodge No. 340,
I. O. O. F.
transcribed by Nan Starjak
Source:
The Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope and Hardin
Counties
Chicago
Biographical Publishing Co., 1893
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